The Week That Was: Playoffs, Champions crowned and more…

Published 11:06 am, Monday, April 25, 2016

These are just a few of my thoughts on what has transpired at the local level of sports during the past week.

Champions crowned…

…The Greater Thumb East and West, along with the North Central Thumb League, all crowned their football champions on Friday.

In the GTE, Harbor Beach had to earn it as the Pirates held on for a 28-14 victory over Deckerville.

A week after getting pounded by Ubly, the Eagles picked themselves up and gave the Pirates everything they could handle.

They even took an early 8-0 lead after marching the opening drive down the field for the score.

In the long run, the game will be good for Harbor Beach, which hasnt had to play many close games this season.

As the team prepares for the playoffs, this experience will surely help the players get used to life without Brion Gornowich.

Reports out of Harbor Beach say Gornowich is recovering nicely from his broken leg, but its doubtful that he will return this season.

In the GTW, Reese made a huge statement with its 38-6 victory over Unionville-Sebewaing Area.

The Rockets are without a doubt the best offensive team Ive seen this year. They have it all, from a solid running game, a mobile quarterback in Josh Bierlien, and big-play capability with Isaac Zimmer.

Reese coach Bob Saylor summed it up when describing his teams effort against USA.

The thing I like about our offense is everybody shares the ball, he said.

We dont have one go-to-guy. I dont think you can key on any one guy.

If you do, we can hit somebody else.

You have to defend the entire field (against us).

Bierlien and Zimmer hooked up for a couple of huge touchdowns to begin each half, which all but took the Patriots out of the game.

Its unclear if Reese is going to go Division 6 or 7, but either way, the Rockets could do some damage.

Michael Mann returned to his normal unstoppable self as he rushed for 234 yards and had touchdown runs of 35, 56, 60 and 76.

Mann and Week 7 star, Donell Hamilton give the Pirates a one-two punch that could lead to some serious post-season success.

Playoffs near…

…One more area team secured its playoff berth on Friday as Ubly dropped Sandusky, 41-6.

The win is the fourth straight for the Bearcats after beginning the season, 2-2. During the four-game winning streak, since the return of quarterback Jordan Kaufman and some other roster moves, Ubly has outscored its opponents, 170-20.

The offensive numbers are impressive, but its the defense, which has been the key.

In Ublys first four games, it allowed 92 total points (23.0 points per game). Now, in the last four, the Bearcats are allowing just five points ppg.

Theres no question that this is a different team than the one that got handled by Harbor Beach.

Four more area teams need a Week 9 victory to secure playoff spots.

They include: USA, Deckerville, Memphis and Marlette.

For the Patriots, they sit in the same position they found themselves in last year.

If they beat Pinconning (2-6), they are in, if they lose like they did last year, they will remain home.

Its a different situation for USA this year, though, as the team is healthier than it was in last years meeting with Pinconning.

I think the Patriots have enough to make it in.

Deckerville is a slam dunk to make it in as it faces Carsonville-Port Sanilac (2-6).

The Eagles showed me a lot in their loss to Harbor Beach and will be slotted in with North Huron, Peck and a mystery team in their Division 8 district.

Standing in the way of Memphis is a 1-7 Brown City squad.

The Yellowjackets have played better of late, but dont be fooled by the Green Devils record.

Theyve played in the super-tough GTE and will try to play spoiler.

I dont think Memphis gets in.

Finally, Marlette is set to meet Peck in what could become an offensive shootout.

Im not concerned with the Raiders offense, but they did give up 24 to Mayville, which is down right alarming.

The Pirates have a great offense, with Mann and Hamilton  and I think theyre going to put up too many points for Marlette to overcome.

The Guessing Game…

…Sunday, all the questions surrounding the football playoffs will be answered, when the Michigan High School Athletic Association announces the pairings on Fox Sports Net.

If you cant make it to a television, just tune into WLEW 102.1 FM as the Pregame Show crew including myself, Eddie Fury and Chris Ogryski will be presenting the brackets as they are announced.

Our playoff show will begin around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday.

Well have our first impressions of the pairings, along with who we think has the best chance to make a serious post-season run.

Down to the Wire…

…The volleyball races in the GTC are going to come down to the final week of the regular season.

Currently, USA and Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port are tied for the GTW lead at 7-2 while Cass City is a game back in the loss column.

Last week, the Patriots showed a lot as they knocked off the Red Hawks on the road without Carly Treiber.

Treiber confirmed that she is out with the same injury her sister Jessica suffered last year.

She has a tear of the MCL and ACL and will be out until as least softball  and even then, will likely not be able play catcher.

With that injury on their minds, the USA players came through with a tremendous effort against Cass City.

Theyll have to keep that going if they have any hopes of winning the GTW.

Meanwhile, Cass City isnt out of the race as there could still be a three-way tie.

As for Bad Axe, look for the Hatchets to play spoiler.

In the GTE, it comes down to Thursday as Marlette (9-0) is at Ubly (8-1).

Earlier in the season, these two played an epic five-game match, look for more of the same as the GTE title hangs in the balance.

Performance of the Week…

…EPBP snapped its losing streak in a big way, with a 41-22 victory over rival Bad Axe on Friday.

A large part of that was the play of Chris Rowe.

Rowe, a sophomore rushed for 121 yards and four touchdowns.

Perhaps the win and Rowes effort are a sign of things to come for the Lakers.

Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6464 ext. 112 or padams@hearstnp.com. The Week That Was appears every Tuesday and Thursday.